Treatment
As diabetes is a systemic disease, optimal control of blood sugar as well as blood pressure and cholesterol levels are still very important in the treatment of diabetic retinopathy. However, progression of retinopathy may occur despite all medical efforts. If diabetic retinopathy is detected early, treatment with laser photocoagulation may stop continued damage. Even in the advanced stages of the disease, laser treatment can reduce the chance that a patient will have severe visual loss.
Laser treatment is used to seal or obliterate the abnormal leaking blood vessels. This procedure focuses a powerful beam of laser light onto the damaged retina. Small bursts of the laser energy seal leaking vessels and form tiny scars inside the eye. The scars reduce new vessel growth and cause existing ones to shrink and close. Laser treatments are usually carried out in an outpatient setting.